Books Vs E-Books: Why reading a book is better
Today less people read than they used to in the past and even less people read books now than in the past. However I stand on the notion that we should read real books (not e-books) more often for many reasons that I shall now elaborate.
First things first, reading a book increases intelligence. One form in which reading a book increases intelligence is crystallized intelligence. Crystallized intelligence is all factual knowledge that a person knows like vocabulary for example. In fact, according to a paper from the University of California, Berkeley, children books expose kids to 50% more vocabulary than prime time TV. Exposure to new vocabulary leads to better scores in reading exams and general test of intelligence.
On top of that, reading a book can reduce stress. Simply by opening a book we allow ourselves to be invited into a literary world that distracts us from our daily stressor. Reading can even relax our body by lowering our heart rate and easing tension in our muscles. A 2009 study at the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%.
Furthermore, flipping pages can help us better understand what we are reading. When it comes to actually remembering what we are reading, it is better to go with a book instead of an e-book. The feel of pages under our fingertips provides our brain with context that lead to better understanding of the subject we are reading about. A study by the University of Stavanger, Norway had a group of students split into two groups; one reading from a book and the other reading from a computer. Afterward the students took a test about the subject they were reading about. Students who read texts on computers performed a little worse than students who read on paper.
Last but not least, reading a book before bed can help us sleep. Reading a book helps us relax more than looking in front of a screen before bed. In fact, screens like e-reader can keep us awake longer and even hurt our sleep. According to a research published on Pediatric, 54% of children sleep near a small screen and lose 20 minutes of sleep because of it.
To sum it all up, we should read books more often because firstly, it increases IQ and vocabulary. Secondly, it helps us relax. Thirdly, we understand what we are reading better with a book. Lastly, it helps us fall asleep.
So what are you waiting for? Go get a book at the book store!!
Written by Muhammad Luqman Irfan Bin Ahmad Kamal, Year 9 student of Abedeen International School